Frances Craig


Elinor Frances Craig was a teacher in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. She was the headmistress of Somerville House and continued to operate the school during World War II despite its premises being commandered for military purposes and the threat of Japanese invasion.

Early life

Known as Frances Craig, she was born in 1888 at Swansea, Tasmania. However, her father, Rev. William Waters Craig who was a Presbyterian clergyman was sent to Singleton, New South Wales, and so Frances completed her primary school teaching there.
Frances Craig began teaching in 1912 at a school based in Newcastle, but later enrolled at the University of Sydney and studied there.

Teaching career

Soon after, in 1917, Craig transferred to the University of Queensland in order to take a position as resident mistress at Brisbane High School for Girls where she finished her degree in 1919. After some time abroad where she undertook further study and experience, in 1932 Craig accepted the invitation at Somerville House to become vice-principal. She was appointed principal of Somerville House from 1 January 1941.
From January 1942 in World War II, the premises on which Somerville House was located was commandeered by the Australian Military Forces, and later used as a headquarters by a supply section of the United States Army. Day pupils were divided between Drysllwyn in Auchenflower and Queen Alexandra Home in Coorparoo, while the boarders were relocated to Mioiminda in Stanthorpe. Due to Craig's persistence and effort to keep together dispersed centres, students were able to return to the former school grounds in January 1945 where classes commended on 6 February.
Craig retired on 30 April 1953.